Handwritten Wedding Invites: A Personal Touch Or Too Much Work?

Wedding invitations are one of the first things guests will see, and they can be a chance for the couple to express their style. While the design of the invitation is important, it's also key to get the wording right. The good news is that wedding invitation etiquette isn't too complicated. The primary rule is to create a beautiful invitation that represents the couple and communicates the vital details of the wedding.

The wording of a wedding invitation typically includes the host line (who is hosting or paying for the wedding), the attendance request, the names of the couple, the date and time, the location, and the reception details. Other details, such as dress code information, are optional and can be included on a separate card or the wedding website.

The bride's parents are traditionally the hosts, but nowadays, it is common for both sets of parents, the couple, or a combination of all three to contribute. In this case, the invitation can include phrases like together with their parents or together with their families.

The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text, with the bride's name typically coming first, followed by the groom. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and same-sex couples may choose to list their names alphabetically or based on what sounds better.

The date and time are usually written out in full for formal invitations, while numerical figures are often used for modern or casual invites.

The street address of the venue is typically included unless the wedding is held at the host's home. The city and state should always be written out in full.

Reception details can be included on the same invitation or a separate card, depending on the formality of the invitation. If the reception is at the same location, a simple reception to follow is sufficient.

Overall, the wording of a wedding invitation should reflect the level of formality of the event, and it's essential to include all the necessary information to keep guests well-informed.

Honoring deceased parents: Include the name of a deceased parent alongside their child's name

When it comes to wedding invitations, it is common to want to honour deceased parents. While it is not common to include the names of parents who have passed away on the invitations, there are ways to do so. Here are some options for including a deceased parent alongside their child's name:

Option 1:

> Mr. and Mrs. Jay Courier

> Mrs. Hannah Fullerton and the late Andrew Fullerton

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their children

> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July

> Two-thousand and twenty-six

> at six o'clock in the evening

> 912 Sixth Street South

> Minneapolis, Minnesota

In this example, the bride's parents are listed first, followed by the groom's parents. The late parent is included with the phrase "the late" before their name.

Option 2:

> George & Jenny Jones are delighted to invite you to join them for the marriage of their daughter

> Jenny Jones, daughter of Michael & the late Hannah Michaels.

This option includes a phrase of delight and invitation from the parents, with the late parent mentioned after the living parent.

Option 3:

> Together with their families,

> Jennifer Drake, daughter of John Drake and the late Barbara Drake,

> and Brian Connors, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Connors,

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage, etc.

Here, the invitation is issued by the couple and their families, with the deceased parent's name included after the living parent.

Option 4:

> Mr. David Smith and Ms. Susan Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith (grandparents) request the honour of your presence at the marriage of

> Andrea Wynnfield, daughter of the late Mrs. Ann Blake and Mr. John Blake and the late Mr. Eric Wynnfield (your dad),

> to Robert Joseph Smith, etc.

This example includes multiple family members and deceased loved ones. The late parents are mentioned after the living parents or grandparents.

Other Ways to Honour a Deceased Parent:

In addition to including their name on the invitation, there are other ways to honour a deceased parent during your wedding:

• Reserve a seat for them at the ceremony with a small sign or framed photograph.
• Include a recipe of theirs in the wedding program with a dedication.
• Carry a memento of theirs with you or in your bouquet.
• Play their favourite song at the reception.
• Light a memorial candle during the ceremony.
• Share a toast in their honour.
• Incorporate their favourite flowers into your decorations or bouquet.

Divorced parents: List each parent on a separate line

When addressing wedding invitations to guests with divorced parents, it's important to follow certain etiquette guidelines to ensure that everyone is properly recognised and respected. Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate this situation:

Host Line Etiquette

If the divorced parents of the bride or groom are hosting the wedding, it is customary to list each parent on a separate line without using "and" between them. The mother's name is always listed first, followed by the father's name. Here's an example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

> Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

If one or both of the divorced parents are remarried, the stepparent's name is included on the same line as their spouse. Here's an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Richard Bronson

> Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning

Invitation Wording

When inviting guests with divorced parents, the wording can be adjusted to include both parents as hosts. Here's an example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland

Other Considerations

When addressing the envelopes for wedding invitations, it is proper etiquette to write the names of each invited guest in full. Avoid using nicknames or initials. For divorced parents, separate lines should be used for each parent, following the same format as the invitation wording.

Additionally, when indicating the request to attend the wedding, phrases such as "the pleasure of your company" or "invite you to celebrate with them" are commonly used.

Examples

> Ms. Margo Luanne Manning

> Mr. Patrick Lewis Manning

> request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Amelia Rose to Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen

> Mrs. Michelle Wright

> Mr. John Monroe

> request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black

> Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Richard Bronson

> Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning

> request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Amelia Rose Manning to Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen

Both sets of parents: List the bride's parents first, followed by the groom's

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, the rules are not too complicated. The host line comes first, and traditionally, the bride's parents are named at the top, even if they are not paying for the wedding. However, listing the names of both sets of parents is acceptable and gracious, especially if both sets of parents are contributing financially. For different-sex couples, the bride's parents' names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents' names. Here are some examples of how to word wedding invitations when including both sets of parents:

Formal Wording

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children
• Mr. and Mrs. James Andersen and Mr. and Mrs. Angel Garcia request the honour of your presence on Saturday, the fifth of October, two thousand twenty-seven, at one o'clock in the afternoon

Less Formal Wording

• Aaron and Alisha Wong, together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis, invite you to share in the joy as their children unite in marriage
• Jacob and Ellen Worthington and Oliver and Joelle Larson invite you to share in the joy uniting their children on Saturday, the nineteenth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon

Couple is hosting: Omit the host line or use a warm introduction

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted altogether. This is the simplest approach, leaving out any mention of the host and focusing solely on the couple and the celebration. Alternatively, you can opt for a warm and welcoming introduction to set the tone for your wedding. Here are some examples:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy
• Together with our families
• With much love

Following the initial introduction, you can extend the invitation to attend the wedding and set the tone for the celebration. Here are some suggestions:

• Request the honor of your presence
• Request the pleasure of your company
• Invite you to celebrate with them
• Would love for you to join them

The names of the couple typically follow, with the bride's name preceding the groom's name in traditional invitations. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed alphabetically or based on personal preference and what sounds better. The date, time, and location of the wedding are also essential details to include in the invitation.

When it comes to the reception details, if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. However, if the reception is held elsewhere, include the full address and other relevant information on a separate card.

Although not compulsory, including dress code information can be helpful for your guests. You can mention it on the invitation or provide these details on a separate card or your wedding website.

Couple and parents are hosting: Include Together with their parents

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the traditional format involves the bride's parents as the hosts, with their names at the top of the invitation. However, modern weddings often involve both sets of parents or the couple and their parents hosting together, and the invitation wording should reflect this.

If the couple and their parents are all contributing to the wedding, the invitation can include a line such as "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families". This acknowledges the support of both sets of parents, even if they are not the primary hosts or financial contributors. This phrasing is also appropriate when the couple is funding the majority of the wedding themselves.

• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Together with their families, Agee Gretta Taylor and Alexander Charles Leinberry invite you to join them in the celebration of their love..."
• "Together with their parents, John Smith and Jane Doe request the honor of your presence at their marriage..."

When including parents' names on the invitation, it is important to consider family dynamics and traditions. If one or both sets of parents are contributing financially, it is respectful to include them. However, if the couple is paying for most of the wedding or if there are complex family situations, it may be appropriate to omit parents' names or use alternative phrasing.

Frequently asked questions